AT just 22, Oscar Requena has visited 65 countries.
The Barcelona, Spanish native is on a quest to become the youngest traveller to visit all 196 countries in the world and carve his name in the Guinness World Records.
So far, he has travelled more than 70,000km, hitchhiked 10,000km across three continents, and visited more than 130 cities.
He hopes to break the record held by Englishman – James Asquith who accomplished the feat at the age of 24.
“I’ve always wanted to explore the world growing up,” Mr Requena tells us.
“Whether by bus, car or just walking I always had this hunger to visit as many places as possible but my protective parents wouldn’t hear of it. I was only 12 at the time!
“In Spain, we travelled extensively, visiting all the places in our country, but I never forgot my little dream,” he said smiling.
In the end, when he turned 17, Mr Requena got the opportunity to travel with his cousins and friends on the El Camino de Santiago (also known as the Way of St. James) where pilgrims all over the world take the trail that begins at Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, and travels 500 miles through four of Spain’s 15 regions.
The journey took 35 days and soon Mr Requena was hooked with the travel bug.
“When I returned from that amazing trip, I went home and told my mum that I was going to leave university and explore the world,” said the political Science student.
“In the first six months, I travelled without money in Spain and Europe. My money ran out in the first few weeks and I survived by playing the ukulele on the streets but I have never regretted my decision.”
And when his funds ran low, Mr Requena stopped travelling and worked to save enough for the next travel. Recently he was in Fiji, where he spent nearly two months of working and exploring the country.
He says out of the 65 countries he visited Fiji was the place he spent the most time in.
“I really enjoyed my time in Fiji, nice people, incredible hospitality from the people in the villages and the rich culture. Fiji is the country that I’ve spent more time on my trip and one I won’t easily forget. I made so many friends among the locals,” he said smiling.
Mr Requena plans to write a book about his adventure and he hopes he complete his journey before he turns 24.
The Spanish international is in Palau the last country in the South Pacific before he will embark on his journey to the other side of the world.
